Road Safety

Ireland’s fourth Road Safety Strategy builds on the progress and understanding provided by the first three strategies (1998–2002), (2004–2006), (2007–2012) with the objective of sustainably improving safety on Irish roads. This new Strategy, called ‘Closing the Gap’, will cover the period 2013 to 2020.

Significant progress has already been achieved since Ireland first began to pursue a strategic approach to road safety in 1998. Roads deaths are down by 65.7% (1997-2012) and Ireland is now the fifth safest country in the European Union for road collision fatalities per million population. This achievement may be set against an increase in the number of cars of 66%. When the costs of fatalities and serious injuries are analysed, the financial benefits to society are conservatively estimated at in excess of €1bn per annum.

At a local level Wicklow County Council are deeply committed to providing education for all road users to ensure that they are aware of best practice in road safety. The Road Safety Officer promotes road safety within County Wicklow by: